Will be constipated after taking calcium tablets

With the increase of people's health awareness, calcium supplementation has become popular. However, with the "universal calcium supplementation", there are more and more problems. Many people get constipated after taking calcium tablets, is it really caused by calcium tablets?

Will calcium tablets cause constipation?

Calcium tablets may cause constipation. Not all people will become constipated after taking calcium tablets. Constipation caused by taking calcium tablets is more common in the elderly or in people who lack dietary fiber in their diet.

Causes of constipation after taking calcium tablets

The main ingredient in calcium tablets is calcium carbonate. The calcium tablets enter the body through oral intake, and in the process of absorption, calcium carbonate will become calcium chloride under the action of stomach acid, which will form calcium phosphate after entering the intestine, and these calcium salts are difficult to absorb and inhibit intestinal peristalsis, which may cause constipation.

How to do if you are constipated after taking calcium tablets

Drink yogurt

Constipation caused by calcium supplementation can be relieved by drinking yogurt, because yogurt contains lactic acid combined with calcium, which can promote calcium absorption. Yogurt also contains a large number of active lactic acid bacteria, which can promote gastrointestinal motility and relieve constipation.

Eat more food with coarse fiber

Eating foods containing coarse fiber can promote intestinal movement and can help digestion to a certain extent. Vegetables with more crude fiber include dried bamboo shoots, cauliflower, cabbage, rape, etc. Nuts with more crude fiber include black sesame, pine nuts, almonds, etc. Fruits include apples, duck pears, cherries, dates, pomegranates, etc.

Abdominal massage

Massage to relieve constipation can be given in a clockwise direction to the stomach massage, with the right hand palm root close to the abdominal muscle, from the upper right abdomen - upper left abdomen - lower right abdomen direction while soft side push. Repeat in this direction, the technique should not be too heavy, each time lasting about ten minutes, 2-3 times a day, can promote gastrointestinal peristalsis and emptying function.

How to prevent constipation caused by taking calcium tablets

Drink more water

Drinking more water after taking calcium tablets can not only make the intestines get enough water, which can moisten the intestines, laxative, relieve constipation caused by eating calcium tablets, but also can be enough to prevent stones that may be caused by eating calcium tablets.

Avoid improper diet

Calcium tends to combine with food residues in the intestine such as oxalic acid, phytic acid, phosphoric acid, and fat to form insoluble harder substances, so that the stool becomes dry and constipation results. So try to avoid taking calcium tablets with this type of food. Foods in this category are spinach, rice, carbonated beverages, tobacco, alcohol, greasy foods, etc.

Calcium supplementation in moderation

Too much calcium tablets can also lead to constipation, because the more calcium you take in at one time, the lower the absorption rate, the more calcium will be excreted through the stool, and the drier the stool will become. So choosing the right amount of calcium tablets will ease the constipation.